A/N: This is my first try as an author so bear with me. English isn't my first language so don't hesitate to pm me with any fault you find, I am always eager to learn.
From the reviews I got for the last chapter, all of you were pleased with the way the fight with Orochimaru ended. I understand that some people have concerns about killing off Jiraya without him telling Naruto about the key. Don't worry, I already thought about it and there are other possible ways to deal with this issue, there is no plot hole yet :)
Now, as I said, the fate of Jiraya is already sealed and will follow the classic manga. Most of you voted for a small summary or flashback to reveal how the Amegakure infiltration mission went, so that's what you'll get. I'm sorry for those who wanted the J-man to stay alive, I really like him too, however his death is a necessary step in Naruto's character development.
Story aside, I am pleased that the number of reviews picked up. I'm very grateful and try to reply to everyone at least once.
Anyway, welcome to the next chapter of Kaze No Kami.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other manga for that matter.
Chapter 27: Reunions
Konoha – Hokage Office
Naruto and Sakura were granted access to Tsunade's office immediately as they arrived. Shizune followed the duo into her master's office and then closed the door behind her.
Tsunade had a smile on her face when she saw the two of them come into her office, relieved that they both came back safely as Jiraya promised. Seeing the look on Sakura's face, she already knew the mission ended in a failure. Nevertheless, she ordered Naruto to give his report, as he was the one with the highest rank in Jiraya's absence.
"Glad to have you both back, I already know about Jiraya's next mission. Now give me a report on your mission Naruto." She said to the blond.
Naruto told her everything, how Kabuto was in fact a double agent, the fight against Orochimaru and finally how they escaped.
"I see, then this mission will be classified as a failure, I'm sorry Sakura." Announced Tsunade with an comforting look to her disciple.
"Is there anything else Tsunade-sama ?" Asked the kunoichi to her master.
"No, good work both of you. You are dismissed Sakura, Naruto you stay." Replied Tsunade.
Sakura bowed to her leader then left the office. Tsunade then had Shizune go summon some guests and told Naruto to take a seat. They stayed like this just the two of them, silent for a moment before Naruto decided to speak.
"Hmm, Ba-chan, there's something I wanted to say to you." He started.
"What is it ? And how many times did I tell you to stop calling me that already ?" Replied Tsunade.
"I wanted to apologize for the way I acted before we left for the mission last time. I was preoccupied with something and let my temper get the best of me, I'm sorry." Naruto said.
"It's alright, I know you've been involved in a lot of things lately, and you never asked for any of those to happen. Jiraya and I wanted for you to live a peaceful life too, but some things in this world are just impossible." Replied Tsunade with a smile.
"Speaking of that, do you know anything about the place where Ero-sennin went to ?" Asked Naruto.
"Well, I've been there before. We faced their leader there once, with Jiraya and Orochimaru. His name is Hanzo the Salamander and he is the one who named us the sannin after he defeated us. We don't know much about their current status, every spying mission in that country ended in failure. I told him it was too dangerous but Jiraya insisted to go. He told me that he would do everything in his power to protect you." Tsunade said as Naruto had a smile on his face.
"So why did you wanted me to stay here anyway ?" Asked Naruto.
"Actually, it is linked to the mission Jiraya is currently undergoing. Let's wait for the guests I told Shizune to summon and you will understand everything." Finished Tsunade.
Then she continued her paperwork while Naruto just relaxed in his seat.
Timeskip – 30 minutes later
Naruto was about to doze off when the door to Tsunade's office suddenly opened. Shizune was back and she brought two people with her. Naruto was still a bit out of it but instantly recognized one of them when he finally looked up to them.
"Haku! Is that really you?" The blond asked.
"Yes it's me. It's been a long time, Uzumaki-san." Replied Haku.
"What are you doing here? And more importantly, where is that old fool Zabuza? I still have to thank him for putting me inside that damn book!" Naruto said.
"It's a long story, why don't you sit back and let me tell you the reason I'm here." Haku said.
"Sit down Naruto and listen to him, this is the reason I told you to stay back after all." Tsunade ordered, Naruto nodded and then sat back down.
Haku then started his story. Apparently, after they left Wave Country, Zabuza decided to go back home and try again to overthrow Yagura. Not in the same way he did the last time though, this time he needed to have better preparations. His last attempt failed because he didn't have enough men and tried to attack the Mizukage frontally.
Consequently, he joined the rebellion, the side of the bloodline users. After the revolt of the Kaguya clan, Yagura became paranoid and started to purge every bloodline user clan they had in Kiri. The clans had no other choice but to flee their homes and formed the rebellion to resist extermination. Their leader is quite mysterious and only a few know his true name or face. The only known fact is that he is wielding not one but two powerful bloodlines.
The civil was has been going on for years now, the rebellion managed to achieve some victories over the Mizukage but they still lack something crucial in order for them to win once and for all. They do not have anyone capable of matching the firepower of the Mizukage Yagura, the jinchuriki of the three tailed demon.
"And that is why our leader wants you to join our side Uzumaki-san. It is a well known fact that you once defeated the jinchuriki of the one tailed raccoon when you were only a genin. We also know of your more recent achievements, would you please lend us a hand in stopping this war that has plagued our country for years ?" Asked Haku as he finished his story.
"It's up to you Naruto, I won't force you to go this time. But don't forget that this may be a good lead to what Akatsuki has been up to since your name has come up in the bingo book with Kiri also wanting your head." Tsunade said as Naruto was looking in her direction for her orders.
Naruto thought about it for a moment, he then remembered that Jiraya was currently risking his life in a similar mission, just to protect him. He took a deep breath then gave his decision to the people waiting for him in the room.
"Fine, I'm in." Naruto replied with a smile.
Tsunade was proud of her jonin and last living relative, but she had to warn him about something else too.
"Before you leave there's something you must know. Konoha can not officially support the rebellion, it could provide the Mizukage with a reason to declare war on us. We do not have the resources nor the will to go at war with another major village right now. Therefore, if you take this mission, you will have to leave anything that would identify you as a Konoha shinobi here before you join them." Tsunade announced. She got a nod from Naruto, the last thing he wanted for his village was a war where countless lives would be lost.
"That would be all, you are to leave in one hour. Dismissed." Tsunade finished as everyone left her office.
Namikaze Compound
Naruto was finally home after the failed mission in Kusagakure. Fortunately for him, packing went fast since he was a practically a master in fuinjutsu, everything he needed went into scrolls. Thinking about Tsunade's warning on keeping a low profile, he made sure to leave his leaf headband home. Nothing else in his current gear was betraying his affiliation to Konoha so with that, he was done with the packing.
He decided to relax a bit, seeing that he still had some time before he had to leave.
"Na-chan, what do you know about the Sanbi ?" Asked Naruto.
"It's been ages since I last saw that overgrown turtle. His jinchuriki should have a very high affinity to the water element." Replied Natsuki.
"How was his personality, do you think it has something to do with the Mizukage sudden change of attitude towards the bloodline holders ?" Naruto asked, thinking about Gaara's case and the harmful influence Shukaku had on him.
"I've been thinking about it too but something is strange. Sanbi was never an aggressive one, he always sought peace and tried to coexist with the human race." Natsuki said with confusion in her tone.
"Then if it doesn't come from the bijuu, something must have happened to the host. Before the Kaguya incident, Yagura was supposedly a gentle and peaceful leader. Something doesn't add in this story." Naruto analyzed out loud.
"Remember to be very careful Naru-kun, it doesn't matter that you can control up to five tails. Even a genin could kill a Kage with a lucky shot, never underestimate your opponents." Natsuki said to him, worried that he would be over confident.
"Don't worry so much, Na-chan. I promise I'll be careful. You'll be there to scold me anyway if I'm not." Naruto joked.
When the time to leave for the mission came, Naruto made sure to lock his manor, then made his way to the gates.
Konoha Gates
Naruto was the last to arrive at the gates, not that he was late though. Tsunade and Shizune were there to see him off. Haku and Chojuro were ready to leave and waited for him.
"Well, I'm off again Ba-chan, Nee-chan." Naruto said to the two kunoichi.
"Be careful out there Naruto, you are a jonin now, I trust that you will do well in your mission." Tsunade said.
"Go and make us proud, Naruto-kun." Shizune added.
And with that he left, following Haku and his companion.
"So what's the plan ? Where do we go first ?" Naruto asked Haku.
"Our destination is Wave Country, from there we'll take a boat that will take us to one of the smaller island surrounding Kirigakure. Our main camp is located on one of those islands, you will meet our leader there." Haku replied and Naruto nodded.
Unknown Location
In a huge dark cave, another meeting between the Akatsuki members was taking place.
"Report, Zetsu." The leader said.
"The Ichibi is under good guard now that we failed the first attempt on him. It won't be easy to go after him now. The security of Suna has been completely upgraded and the same tactic won't work again."
"The Nibi and Hachibi are both hidden in Kumo, we never had any contact inside and they don't trust any foreigner. We don't have much info on either of them."
"Sanbi and Rokubi are still in Kiri, though it seems the rebel faction is gaining territory over Yagura lately. It may be wise to take them out now."
"Yonbi and Gobi should be the easiest to get, they are left alone in Iwa and no one really cares about them. They live like hermits in the outskirts of Iwagakure."
"Nanabi is still hidden in Takigakure, the village defenses are weak so we should have an easy time capturing it."
"Finally, the Kyuubi is still a problem. I managed to spy on him during his fight with Orochimaru. Our ex member was utterly dominated by him, in addition to what we already knew about him, it seems he completed a new version of the Rasengan. It is a jutsu he can throw, contrary to the version developed by the fourth Hokage. Orochimaru deployed his Sanju Rashomon against it but was still overpowered. Right now, he's in Konoha." Zetsu finished his report.
"We will concentrate on the easier targets for now. Itachi and Kisame will go to Iwa. Kakuzu and Hidan will go to Kiri. Deidara and Tobi will go to Taki. Konoha, Suna and Kumo are still out of our reach for now." Announced the leader.
With that every member canceled his communication jutsu and faded into the darkness.
Otogakure – Underground Base
Orochimaru was in his room, bedridden, with Kabuto at his side.
"I have the results of your medical exams, my Lord." Said the medic.
"What did that damn brat do to me ? Why can't I properly mold my chakra even after regenerating my body ?" Asked Orochimaru.
"The analysis have shown that you suffer from damages to your chakra circulatory system. His wind attack seems to act like a poison that slowly disables your capacity to use your chakra network. I've never seen anything like that, it interacts with your body to the cellular level. There's nothing you can do against it in your current body. Even with the body renewal jutsu you used during your fight with him, it would be the same. The disease is spreading through your chakra." Replied Kabuto.
"I see, so there is only one solution to this." Orochimaru said.
"Yes my Lord, you will need to transfer your soul again to a new container. That's the only way to escape that curse." Confirmed the medic.
"Speaking of that, What is he up to right now ?" Asked the sennin.
"He's training as usual. He does nothing else than that nowadays, aside from brooding of course." Replied Kabuto.
"How are the preparations for the ritual ?" Orochimaru demanded.
"Everything will be ready in three weeks." Kabuto said as he changed a bandage for his master.
"Good, restrict his movements to inside this base only and never let him out of your sight from now on. I've gone this far, it's finally time I collect." Said a smirking Orochimaru.
"As you command, my Lord." Kabuto replied as he left the room.
Small Island – South of Kirigakure
It took three days for Naruto and the two rebel members to reach the main base of the rebellion. Everywhere around them, the lands were covered by a thick mist, providing a natural protection for the rebel camp.
At the main gates of the base, they were greeted by a middle aged man wearing an eye patch. His name was Ao and he seemed to be someone of high ranking among the rebels. They were about to go inside the main building when Ao stopped them.
"I will have to ask you to hand over your sword and put on those handcuffs before you are presented to our leader." He demanded from Naruto.
Naruto saw the seals engraved on the handcuffs and realized that they would completely block his chakra the moment he put them on.
"Listen now old man, I came here to help you win a war, not to become your bitch. Now you have a choice, you will let me pass and go meet that leader of yours or I'll simply turn back and leave the same way I came. I wouldn't advise you or your men to try to stop me either, if you thought Yagura was a cruel man you surely won't enjoy what I can do." Naruto said in a cold voice, unleashing killing intent.
"Anyway, I may be alright with handing over my sword but you sure as hell can be sure that I will never put those cuffs on." He added.
Haku and Chojuro didn't know what to do, they completely forgot that Ao was a really prudent man when it came to security but they also understood Naruto. He would be completely defenseless if he accepted to put on those cuffs.
The guards around them tensed immediately at the confrontation, they were about to reach out for their weapons when a new voice interrupted them.
"That's enough ! Stand down, all of you put your weapons down !" Ordered a voice that Naruto instantly recognized.
As a man slowly made his way out of the main building, the guards moved away from his path and Naruto was greeted with a face he didn't see for three years.
"Zabuza ..." Growled Naruto, remembering the man he spared during the Wave mission but mostly the man who gave him his moniker and his first profile in the bingo book.
A/N : What do you think ?
Made a little 'world tour' to let you know how the bijuu hunt is going to be. I decided that Akatsuki didn't need to seal them all in order from Ichibi to Kyuubi. Wasn't sure about how it happened in the classic mange though. Anyway, Gaara, Yugito, Bee and Naruto are seemingly safe for the moment, though you never know ...
Used the Rasenshuriken after effects on Orochimaru to act as a catalyst in his soul transfer procedure. I felt he needed the 'motivation' as he had it with Sarutobi's curse for the classic manga.
Finally, some tension right off the bat for the Kiri civil war mission. First between Naruto and Ao and then with Zabuza. Let's see if he accepts to put on the cuffs and how he thanks Zabuza for the bingo book thing next time :)
As usual please Read and Review.